UPSC Civil Services Exam Notification 2024: Application Form, Exam Dates
Last Updated on LL Authored by Rahul Sharma
Upcoming
- 14th February 2024
- INR. 56,100 - INR. 2,50,000
- 1056
- Graduation
Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying Paper) | 300 | 3 hours |
Paper B | English (Qualifying Paper) | 300 | 3 hours |
Paper I | Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper II | General Studies I: Indian Heritage, Culture, History, Geography | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper III | General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper IV | General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, Disaster Management | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper V | General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper VI | Optional Subject - Paper I | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper VII | Optional Subject - Paper II | 250 | 3 hours |
Total Marks: The Mains exam carries a total of 1750 marks (excluding the qualifying papers).
Optional Subjects: The optional subjects contribute significantly, accounting for 500 marks. The choice of an optional subject can greatly influence your final ranking.
Overview: This paper tests the candidate's proficiency in one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The choice of language is up to the candidate, and it should be a language in which they are comfortable.
Key Areas: The paper includes essay writing, translation from English to the chosen language and vice versa, and comprehension. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate their understanding of basic grammar and vocabulary.
Tips: Given that this is a qualifying paper, it is crucial to select a language you are proficient in. Regular practice in writing essays and translating passages can help you secure the necessary marks to qualify.
Overview: Similar to Paper A, the English paper is a qualifying paper designed to assess the candidate's ability to understand and communicate effectively in English.
Key Areas: The paper includes essay writing, comprehension, précis writing, and basic grammar. The goal is to evaluate your ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in English.
Tips: To perform well in this paper, make reading and writing in English a daily habit. Practice writing essays on diverse topics, and work on improving your grammar and comprehension skills.
Format: The Essay paper is divided into two sections, and candidates must write one essay from each section. The essays should be well-structured, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The topics are usually broad, covering a range of issues such as social, political, economic, and philosophical themes.
Marks: The Essay paper is worth 250 marks, with each essay carrying 125 marks. This paper plays a crucial role in determining your overall score, as it tests not just your knowledge but also your ability to present coherent arguments.
Example Topics: Potential essay topics might include issues like "The impact of social media on society," "Climate change and its global implications," or "The role of ethics in public administration."
Structure: A well-structured essay begins with a strong introduction that outlines the main argument, followed by a body that presents evidence and analysis, and concludes with a summary of the key points. Ensure that your essay is logically organized, with each paragraph transitioning smoothly to the next.
Content: Stay focused on the topic and avoid straying into irrelevant areas. Use real-world examples to support your arguments and make your essay more compelling. Clarity and precision in your language will help convey your ideas effectively.
Practice: Regular essay writing practice is essential. Write essays on a variety of topics and seek feedback from peers or mentors to improve your writing style and content.
Topics Covered:
Indian Culture: This section covers the salient aspects of art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
History: The paper includes modern Indian history, significant events, issues, and personalities from the middle of the 18th century until the present. It also covers world history, including events like the Industrial Revolution, World Wars, and decolonization.
Geography: Topics include the physical geography of India and the world, distribution of key natural resources, and geographical features and their impact on flora, fauna, and human activities.
Tips: Focus on understanding the cultural and historical context of events. Use maps and diagrams to enhance your answers in geography.
Topics Covered:
Polity: This section covers the Indian Constitution, its evolution, amendments, and features. It also includes the structure and functioning of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
Governance: Topics include government policies, transparency and accountability, e-governance, and citizen charters.
Social Justice: This covers issues related to social justice, welfare schemes, and the role of NGOs.
International Relations: The focus is on India’s relations with neighboring countries, regional and global groupings, and international institutions.
Tips: Keep yourself updated with current affairs related to governance and international relations. Link these with the static portions of the syllabus to provide a well-rounded answer.
Topics Covered:
Economy: This section includes issues related to the Indian economy, planning, resource mobilization, and development. It also covers budgeting, inclusive growth, and the impact of liberalization.
Environment: Topics include conservation, environmental pollution, and impact assessment. Disaster management is also a key area.
Security: The paper covers internal and external security challenges, including cyber security, border management, and the role of various security agencies.
Tips: Integrate current environmental and economic issues into your answers. Understanding the interlinkages between technology, economy, and environment is crucial.
Topics Covered:
Ethics: This section covers human values, ethics in public administration, and the role of society and educational institutions in inculcating moral values.
Aptitude: The paper tests your problem-solving abilities, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making through case studies.
Case Studies: Practical scenarios are provided where you need to apply ethical reasoning to resolve issues.
Tips: Focus on understanding ethical concepts and their application in real-life situations. Practice solving case studies to improve your problem-solving skills.
Factors to Consider:
Interest and Background: Choose a subject that aligns with your academic background or one that you find genuinely interesting. This will make studying more enjoyable and less burdensome.
Syllabus Overlap: Some optional subjects have significant overlap with the General Studies papers, which can be advantageous as it reduces the amount of new content you need to study.
Availability of Resources: Ensure that there are enough resources available for the subject, including books, coaching, and previous year papers.
Popular Optional Subjects: Subjects like Public Administration, Geography, History, and Sociology are popular due to their overlap with General Studies and availability of resources.
Format: The optional papers are divided into two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks. These papers test your in-depth knowledge of the subject you have chosen.
Subjects Available: The UPSC offers a wide range of subjects, including languages, sciences, social sciences, and engineering disciplines.
Tips: Develop a deep understanding of the subject matter and practice writing answers that are analytical and well-structured. Revising key concepts and regularly practicing answer writing can help you score well in these papers.
General Studies:
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth – A comprehensive book that covers all aspects of Indian polity and is essential for GS Paper II.
India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra – Provides a detailed account of India's freedom struggle, crucial for history sections in GS Paper I.
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh – A key resource for understanding the complex aspects of the Indian economy, which is a significant part of GS Paper III.
Optional Subjects:
Depending on your chosen optional subject, select standard textbooks and reference materials that cover the entire syllabus comprehensively. For example, if you choose Public Administration, books like Administrative Thinkers by Prasad and Prasad are invaluable.